More than 60 community-based water projects in Kieni constituency in Nyeri have opposed plans by the government to increase water tariffs by 500 per cent.
The leaders of the projects which supply water to over 300,000 consumers, strongly opposed the government’s proposed increase in water usage charges from Sh0.50 to Sh2.50 per cubic meter for domestic and public use.
They called out the government for failing to consult the consumers before effecting the new tariffs.
According to Joseph Kagiri, the chairman of Mutitu Water Project, the latest increase was implemented without consulting the affected communities or inviting public views which is in direct contravention of Article 10 of the Constitution and Section 4 of the Water Act which require public participation in all policy and regulatory decisions.
“We term the increment unjustified, unconstitutional, and imposed without adequate public participation. The new charges, introduced under the Water (Resources) Regulations, 2025, represent a 500 per cent increase from the previous rate that had been in place since 2007,” said Kagiri.
“This decision was made without our voices being heard. It disregards the principles of openness, transparency, and inclusivity that the Constitution demands. Access to clean and affordable water is a right, not a privilege to be priced beyond reach,” added Kagiri during a meeting organized by the community water projects in Kieni.
This is the second attempt by the Government to hike water tariffs. An earlier attempt in 2021 to raise the rate to Sh5 per cubic meter, was met with nationwide protests from consumers, the Council of Governors, and stakeholders eventually leading to its temporary reduction to Sh2 per cubic meter and a subsequent court suspension in July 2023.
Kagiri said this latest increase will significantly burden rural households and farmers who rely on the community water projects to support their livelihoods. He urged the Ministry of Water and Sanitation to do away with the new tariffs, failure to which, the consumers will seek legal redress.
“We are not opposed to reasonable regulation but policy changes that affect basic human needs must involve the people first. We therefore call on the Ministry of Water and Sanitation and the Water Services Regulatory Board to suspend the new regulations and initiate genuine public consultations failure to which we shall challenge the decision through the Water Tribunal and, if necessary, the Environment and Land Court,” warned Kagiri.
Mwangi Muriithi a Kieni resident who relies on the water projects to access the precious commodity said the increase will make it more difficult for the residents to access water. He urged the government to reconsider the decision and revert to the old tariffs.
“The water projects were set up to ease access to water by members of the community something that the government was not able to do. As we speak, the demand for water surpasses the supply.
The water projects are charging Sh200 for 10 cubic meters of the commodity and there are some who are not even able to pay due to the poverty levels; so, you can imagine how difficult it will be for these residents to access water now that the government has hiked the water tariffs by 500 per cent,” said Muriithi.
Speaking at a separate function in Kabaru area, Kieni Member of Parliament, Njoroge Wainaina said he has already filed a petition seeking to halt the implementation of the new tariffs.
He warned that the increased charges could leave his constituents facing a water crisis. “As we speak, the water tariffs have been increased and people cannot even afford to pay. I have sponsored a petition before court challenging that decision to increase the water tariffs and seeking to halt the increase of tariffs,” said Wainaina.
By Wangari Mwangi
